Licensing issues could hinder open source adoption

Could enterprises’ rapid adoption of Linux and open source software mask a hidden challenge for IT managers? If you believe the latest research from Westport, Conn.-based Saugatuck Technology Inc., the answer could be yes; the substantial growth of open source software over the past few years now presents a double-edged sword, the firm said in a recent report. On one side, IT managers benefit from the openness and flexibility of the code and its reduced costs (read: it’s free). On the other, the report found that an increasing number of licensing and compliance issues could hamper further adoption of Linux , particularly in IT shops that haven’t deployed open source in mission-critical areas.